Well I'm thinking of dumping some cash into buying a new guitar.

I currently own a steel string martin DXME dreadnought and a steel string washburn rover.

I mostly play fingerpicking pieces, and quite a bit of classical. I'm surprised that I haven't picked up a classical guitar yet actually, but I just love the sound of steel strings.

Anyhoo I've been thinking I'd love to expand my playing a bit and move towards electric guitars.

I'm sure we've got accomplished musicians here who would be able to advise me in this new adventure.

Would anyone care to give advice to a moderately capable guitar player with no experience regarding electric guitars, how they function, different capabilities, and most of all how to start shopping around while keeping both quality and finances in mind?